Flexible coupling.



0; TAPPAN.

FLEXIBLE COUPLING. APPLICATIION FILED 0013. 1913.

I Patented Nov. 16, 1915; 27 4 6 lm/e/rfor DEWITT TAPPAN, OF WATERVLIET, NEW YORK.

FLEXIBLE COUPLING.

. out of line with each other or which are liable to variations in alinement; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a flexible coupling constructed according to this invention and showing bearing rings and locking devices in section@ Fig. 2 is an end view of the coupling. Fig. 3 is a crosssection through the coupling, taken on the 1 line ma2 in Fig. 1. Fig. a is a detail side view of one coupling-member. Fig. 5 is an end view of the same. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the coupling-member, taken on the line y'g in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail end view, and Fig. 8 is a detail side view, of one of the locking segments. Fig. 9is a detail side view, and Fig. 10 is a plan view, of the locking-key or pin Fig. 11 is a detail end view of one of thebea'ringrings, same taken along the line 2-2 in Fig; :11.

Two similar coupling-members 2 are provided having hubs 3 which are adapted to be secured on the two shafts'to be coupled in any approved manner. Each couplingmember has an external spherical portion 4, and longitudinally projecting jaws 5. The jaws of one coupling-member are arranged intermediate of the jaws of the other coupling-member, and antifriction driving balls 6 are interposed between the jaws. 'The' drawing shows a coupling e'aclamember of More than one which has one pair of .jaws.

pair of jaws may be provided, if desirable,

. and the number of driving balls can be adsocket, and

cordingly increased.

Each coupling-member has a spherical socket 7 which engages with ball 8- common to both sockets, its center arranged on the axis or axesof the two hubs. Each coupling-member has also a ball-race 9 where the hub joins onto the 10 are antifriction balls ar- Specification of Letters Patent.

. other.

and Fig. 12'is a cross section of the ments 21 after they have rections. directions after the key has been sllpped into place, ing key ca a single large and having angle to the ranged in the ball-race 9 between the large central ball 8 and the coupling-member.

The coupling-members are prevented from separating bymeans of two similar bearingrings 12. Each bearing-ring has a flange 1 1 at one end which has a spherical portion 16 which encircles the spherical portion 4: of the coupling-member adjacent to it. Each bearing-ring has also a ball-race 17 at its other end which engages with the projecting portions of the driving balls 6. These driving balls 6 are arranged to run in contact with the large central ball 8 and the ball races 17, as well as being in contact with the aws of the coupling-members. The jaws of the coupling-members hold the driving balls 6 spaced at suitable distances apart from each Each bearing-ring 12 has also a ballrace 18 adjacent to its flange, and19 are balls arranged in the ball races 18 and running in-contact with the spherical surface 1. The two bearing-rings 12 are provided with fastening devices which secure them together, and each ring preferablyhas an annular rib or shoulder 20.v Channel-shaped segments 21 are provided having shoulders 22 at their ends which engage with the shoulders 20 of the two bearing-rings. Each segment is a little less than a semicircle, and the two segments abut against each other at one end, leaving an open space other ends.

A locking-ring 24 is slid over the two segbetween their sition on the bearing-rings, and a spring locking-key or pin 25 is inserted in the space between the ends 1 of the locking-segments and between the bearing-rings and the locking-ring. This locking-key preferably has a head 26 at one end, and its main portion is formed of two tapering tongues of resilient material which project from the head 26 and are arranged side by side. These tongues have lugs 27 at their free ends or end portions which project in opposite d1- These lugs 27 spring in opposite and prevent the key from work- 10 se under normal conditions. The be removed by hand whenever it is desired to separate the coupling-members.

A coupling constructed according to this invention works with very little friction, and rotary motion is transmitted from one shaftto another shaft, whose axis lies at an first shaft, without any interbeen placed in po- Patented Nov. 16, 1915. 7 Application filed October 3, 1913. Serial No. 793,173.

adapt themselves automatically to all changes of alinement, and as the balls .of

the various ball-bearings are always at liberty to select their own positions or planes of otation, the friction between the various working parts is minimized. 1

Vvhat I claim is:'

1. In a flexible coupling, the combination, with a pair of coupling-members provided with sockets and overlapping jaws, of a central ball arranged in the said sockets, bearing-rings provided with ball-races at their adjacent end portions, said rings being secured together and arranged to encircle the said sockets and jaws, and driving balls alternately arranged between the overlapping portions of the said jaws and running on the central balland in the ball-races.

2. In a flexible coupling, the combination, with a pair of coupling-members prov vided with sockets and overlapping jaws, of

ets between the a central ball arranged in the sa1d sockets, bearing-rings provided with ball-races" at their adjacent end portions, said rings being secured together and arranged to encircle the ranged between the overlapping portions of the said jaws and running on the central ball and in the ball-races. V 3. In a flexible coupling, the combination, with a pair of coupling-members provided with sockets and overlapping jaws, of a central ball arranged in the said sockets, ball-bearings arranged in' the said sockcentral ball and the coupling-members, bearing-rings provided with ball-races at their adjacent end portions,

said rings being secured together and ar-' ranged to encircle the said sockets and jaws, and driving balls arranged between the overlapping portions of thesaid jaws and running on the central ball and in the ballraces;

ft. In a flexible coupling, the combination,

with a pair of coupling-members provided said ball-races.

and driving balls ar-' with sockets having external spherical surfaces and overlapping jaws, arranged in the said sockets, bearing-rings provided with ball-races at their adjacent end portions, said rings being secured together and arranged to encircle the said sockets and jaws, between the said rings and spherical surfaces, and driving balls arranged between the overlapping portions of the said jaws and running on the central ball and in the 5. In a flexible coupling, the combination, with a pair of coupling-members provided with sockets having external spherical surfaces and overlapping jaws, of a central ball arranged in the said sockets, bearing-rings provided with ball-races at their adjacent end portions, said rings being secured to- 'gether. and arranged to encircle the said sockets ad jaws, driving balls arranged between the overlapping portions of the jaws and running on the central ball and in the said'ball-races, and ball bearings interposed between the said bearing-rings and spherical surfaces and also between the said central ball and the sockets of the. coupling members.

6. In a flexible coupling, the combination. with a pair of coupling members provided with articulated connecting devices which permit the coupling members to operate when axially out of line with each other, of bearing-rings operatively connecting the said coupling members and provided with external shoulders, locking-segments pro vided with shoulders aforesaid shoulders, .a locking ring encircling the locking-segments, and a lockingpin arranged between the ends of two segments and engaging with the locln'ng ring and the shoulders on the bearing-rim s. DEWITT TAPPAN.

Witnesses:

JAMEsM. GLEASON, JOHN H. MCMAHON.

of a central ball ball bearings arrangedwhich engage with the 

